"What am I to say to Cerizet, who put the matter into my hands ?" he added, as the barrister returned to them.
"Tell him that Sauvaignou forced your hand," replied la Peyrade.
"And you fear nothing ?" said Desroches, in a sudden manner.
"I?
oh no! I want to give Cerizet a lesson." "To-morrow, I shall know the truth," said Desroches, in a low tone, to Godeschal; "no one chatters like a beaten man." La Peyrade departed, carrying with him the deed of relinquishment.
At eleven o'clock he was in the courtroom of the justice-of-peace, perfectly calm, and firm.

When he saw Cerizet come in, pale with rage, his eyes full of venom, he said in his ear:-- "My dear friend, I'm a pretty good fellow myself, and I hold that twenty-five thousand francs in good bank-bills at your disposal, whenever you will return to me those notes of mine which you hold." Cerizet looked at the advocate of the poor, without being able to say one word in reply; he was green; the bile had struck in..